The Gujarat government on Thursday said a fine
of Rs 100 will be slapped on registered electors who fail to cast their vote in
the local body polls in the state without providing a valid reason for missing
out.
The Gujarat government on Thursday said a fine of Rs 100 will be slapped
on registered electors who fail to cast their vote in the local body polls in the state
without providing a valid reason for missing out.
The announcement -- made by state Panchayat,
Rural Housing and Rural Development Minister Jayantibhai Kavadia -- comes after Gujarat governmentmade voting compulsory
at these polls.
Kavadia said that rules as well as exemptions
under the Gujarat Local Authorities Laws (Amendment) Act, 2009 -- which has a
provision to make voting compulsory in local body polls -- have been cleared by
his department.
"As per the rules framed under this Act, a
fine of Rs 100 will be imposed on the voter for failing to cast his or her vote
and subsequently failing to provide a valid reason for the same," he
added. Now, this rule will be applicable for all local body polls which
are to be held across the state in October.
Giving details about the exemptions, secretary
in the state Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs department, CJ Gothi, stated
that the fine will be imposed only when the designated authority does not find
the reason given by the defaulting voter to be satisfactory.
"We have listed several exemptions as we
understand that many people will have genuine reasons for being absent. Relief
will be given to senior citizens above the age of 75, those who are more than
75 per cent handicapped and those who have shifted to some other place more
than six months back," Gothi said.
"We will also exempt those who are hospitalised
when voting takes place, those who went out of station for work or for
education and those who have to remain present at a social function involving
relatives. They will be exempted from penalty," he added.
Earlier, in November last year, Gujarat Governor
OP Kohli had given his approval to the controversial Gujarat Local Authorities
Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2009, which has the provision for penal action against
citizens who fail to exercise their franchise in local body polls.
The said Act came into effect in July this year after the Gujarat
government notified it. However, the rules were not announced at the
time. The local body polls for 253 municipalities, 208 taluka panchayats,
26 district panchayats and six municipal corporations are expected to be held
in October this year.
